Identify the misspelt word.

Question

Identify the misspelt word.

1. A. Avaricious
2. B. Temerarious
3. C. Penitent
4. D. Inadvertant (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — Inadvertant

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Inadvertant.

Key Points

• The correct spelling is inadvertent, ending in -ent, not "-ant".
• It means unintentional or accidental, from Latin *advertere*, "to turn toward" — so *inadvertent* is literally not turning one's attention to something.
• The other three are correctly spelt: avaricious (greedy), temerarious (recklessly bold) and penitent (showing regret).

Additional Information

• The -ent / -ant ending is one of the commonest spelling traps in SSC. Words in -ent: independent, persistent, consistent, existent, competent, prominent. Words in -ant: relevant, abundant, defiant, brilliant, significant.
• Related forms follow the ending: inadvertent → inadvertence, and the adverb inadvertently.
• Temerarious shares its root with temerity (reckless boldness), a word tested in its own right in synonym questions.